Development of Western Theatre Buildings
2.8. Summary and Conclusion
The three venues selected as case studies, the Seabrooke's Theatre (figure 2.29. and 2.30. overleaf), the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (figure 2.31. overleaf), and the Playhouse Drama (figure 2.32. overleaf page 43), fall into the category of a proscenium arch theatre. Although they vary in size, shape and available equipment, they possess certain basic features that identify the venue as proscenium arch theatres. All three venues were visited and the following observations were made.
Figure 2.29. Side section of Seabrooke's Theatre (Courtesy of Durban High School)
Figure 2.30. Sketch Ground Plan of Seabrooke's Theatre (Susan Donaldson-Selby)
Figure 2.31. Ground Plan of the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (Courtesy of Jackie Cuniffe, Theatre Manager of the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre)
Figure 2.32. Ground Plan of Playhouse Drama Theatre (Courtesy of the Playhouse Company)
The auditorium in a proscenium arch venue is designed so that all the spectators view the stage from a single direction. All three venues are based on Wagner's fan-shaped design. In addition to the position of the seating, the sightlines in a venue are important, as each spectator desires a good uninterrupted view of the stage. The Seabrooke's Theatre has a problem with the height of the venue as it was constructed into a converted basement. An air-conditioning duct has been installed overhead, just in front of the stage edge, and this causes sightlines to be problematic. The rake of the auditorium is also very shallow. The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre has good sightlines as the rake of the auditorium allows all spectators to view the action on the stage clearly.
The sightlines in the raked auditorium of the Playhouse Drama are also adequate, although spectators sitting in the extreme outer seats of the front rows can see into the wing space.
The proscenium arch is the next important feature. The proscenium arch design can vary from theatre to theatre and many such as the Playhouse Opera still have elaborately decorated arches that were popular in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. A number of venues have opted for simpler arches, as can be seen in the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and the Playhouse Drama. The sidewalls and overhead arch are
painted in neutral colours and create a functional framework that does not 'up-stage' the scenery on-stage. Although the Seabrooke's Theatre does not have a physically constructed arch, it still falls into the category of a proscenium arch venue as black curtains are used to define the stage opening.
A third characteristic of a proscenium arch venue can be the orchestra pit. In the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and the Playhouse Drama an orchestra pit can be created by removing the floor panels. The Seabrooke's Theatre is too small to accommodate an orchestra pit.
Most proscenium arch theatres have a front curtain or main curtain that can be operated or controlled in a number of different ways. The Seabrooke's Theatre has a manual control system that works on simple curtain tracking, while the Playhouse Drama's curtain is electrically controlled. The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre's main curtain has the advantage of dual operation and can either be flown using the counterweight system or it can be converted into a conventional manually operated draw curtain. All the theatres are equipped with black legs and the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and Playhouse Drama have black borders as well.
As spectacle has always been an important element in theatrical entertainment, most modern theatres are equipped with some form of machinery that will facilitate the shifting of the scenery. The Drama Theatre and the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre have manual single and double purchase counterweight systems installed for flying scenery.
The height of the Seabrooke's Theatre does not allow for any flying equipment. At the back of the stage is a cyclorama. The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and the Seabrooke's Theatre have a plaster wall cyclorama. The Playhouse Drama cyclorama is made of cloth and can be flown or removed to provide access to the rear stage area.
Another important requirement for a theatre is to have off-stage space for the storage of scenery and easy access to a road for shifting the scenery in and out of the venue. The Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (figure 2.29.) has adequate side stage space left and right and a large scenic dock door on-stage right that opens onto the road. The Playhouse Drama Theatre (figure 2.30. overleaf) is constructed into the first floor of the Playhouse Complex and therefore the scenery has to be shifted using a decor hoist. Although the
side stage space is limited, particularly on-stage right, the theatre does have a large space behind the cyclorama that can be used to store scenery or as an extra performance space. The Seabrooke's Theatre (figure 2.31. and 2.32 overleaf) has inadequate side stage spaces and scenery has to be shifted through double doors situated in the auditorium. The theatre is also built within the school grounds and is not easily accessible to the road.
The three venues illustrate the variations that can occur in a proscenium arch venue and the potential design issues they may pose to a designer (see Appendix A).